W-League History

Francesco Stella joins Ange's Army

Melbourne Victory is delighted to announce that it is has signed promising Victorian youngster, Francesco Stella, on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Melbourne Victory is delighted to announce that it is has signed promising Victorian youngster, Francesco Stella, on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Having moved to Italy at the age of just 17 to join Italian Serie A club, AC Siena, the now 21-year-old attacker spent the past 4 months in Scotland with Rangers after signing a one-year deal with them, before recently seeking a release, after interest came from Melbourne Victory for him to return home.

Melbourne Victory Coach, Ange Postecoglou, was delighted to have added yet another young Victorian to his squad, “Francesco is a young player with plenty of talent and I believe we can really develop him over the next two-and-a-half years,” Postecoglou said.

“For a club like Siena to see potential in him when he was just 17 years old is a fair indication of his quality.

“While things didn-t work out for him over in Europe this time, the prospect of first team football was enticing to him and I-m confident we-ve got ourselves a player who can perform regularly in the A-League,” Postecoglou added.

Stella, who was raised in Melbourne, is looking forward to the next chapter in his career, “Having been away for a few seasons now, it-s exciting to be coming home to play for Melbourne Victory,” Stella said.

“Being overseas has been an experience that I have learnt a lot from, both good and bad, and I feel it has helped me grow both as a footballer and a person. It-s extremely competitive over in Europe and at 21, I want to be playing regular first team football if I-m going to continue my development as a player.

“I really like the way Ange (Postecoglou) wants to play, so hopefully I can have an impact at Melbourne Victory and help the club achieve success over the next few seasons,” he added.